Democratic National Convention Coverage

WXXI brings viewers special PBS NewsHour coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, Tuesday, September 4 through Thursday, September 6 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on WXXI-TV/HD (DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11). AM 1370 will also bring listeners NPR News coverage of the convention, beginning at 7 p.m.

More on PBS NEWSHOUR CoverageLong known for providing the most complete primetime coverage of the national political conventions, PBS NEWSHOURis going to even greater lengths to give viewers a first-hand look at the 2012 party conventions.

NewsHour Correspondent Hari Sreenivasan will extend the coverage online via the NewsHour’s interactive digital map center and “NewsHour All Hours” – a 24-hour livestream on multiple channels that offers viewers an “all-access pass” to the conventions.

On-air coverage will begin at 8 p.m. each night of the conventions and continue LIVE until the conclusion of the proceedings at approximately 11 p.m. The coverage will be interspersed with analysis, interviews, and commentary, including:

Shields & Brooks - Political analysis from NewsHour regulars syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks.

Reports from the Convention Floor – Senior Correspondents Jeffrey Brown and Ray Suarez will have live dispatches from the convention floors throughout the evening broadcasts. Brown will be on site at the Republican convention in Tampa, FL, and Suarez will be at the Democratic convention in Charlotte, NC.

Political Analysis - Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report and NewsHour Political Editor Christina Bellantoni offer perspective and analysis on key developments at the conventions.

Historians – Presidential historians Richard Norton Smith and Michael Beschloss will provide historical context of the candidates’ acceptance speeches on the final night of each convention.

By the Numbers – Andy Kohut, President of the Pew Research Center, explores data to provide insight on what motivates each party's activists and how voters identify with the parties; he’ll drill down into the demographic shifts in the country that have changed the parties and voters’ identification with them.

Listen to Me – The PBS NewsHour showcases the voices of American voters through its year-long “Listen to Me” project asking their concerns and top issues driving them to the polls.

The Daily Buzz – Political Editor Christina Bellantoni reports on how the politics of the conventions are being viewed online and what’s buzzing on Twitter before the convention each day.

Making Sen$e – Paul Solman examines the economies of Tampa and Charlotte.

The Political Checklist – Each morning, Political Editor Christina Bellantoni will debrief co-anchors Judy Woodruff and Gwen Ifill about the nightly convention agenda as well as their take on political news and events.

Noon Update - Each day at noon, Hari Sreenivasan will host a live update on convention events of the day, including official business, delegate meetings, activities outside the hall – such as demonstrations and protests.

Live Web Cams – Cameras stationed throughout various venues will offer viewers a peek inside the convention hall and surrounding areas throughout the day and into the evening.

The Doubleheader – Mark Shields and David Brooks join Hari Sreenivasan for a daily online discussion about the sport of politics - and the politics of sport.

Roaming Reporter – Hari Sreenivasan will roam the convention site, the delegation hotels and locales around Tampa and Charlotte seeking out and interviewing delegates, party leaders and voters.

Breakfast Panel Discussion – Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff will host a panel discussion at each convention with the young leaders of the 21st century.

Spanish translation – One of the multiple livestream channels will extend the NewsHour’s broadcast coverage to new audiences by providing simultaneous Spanish audio translation of all broadcast coverage.

For more information on PBS Election 2012, including programming from PBS NEWSHOUR, WASHINGTON WEEK, FRONTLINE and NEED TO KNOW, visit pbs.org/election2012 and follow #pbsElection on Twitter.

More on NPR's Coverage:

During the Democratic National Convenion, AM 1370 will offer in-depth NPR coverage Tuesday, September 4 through Thursday, September 6 beginning at 8 p.m. In addition, all NPR News coverage during the conventions will also be streamed live at www.NPR.org and on mobile.

Coverage also includes:

Live Nightly Specials: Hosted by National Desk correspondent Jennifer Ludden, live, nightly specials featuring key speeches, newsmaker interviews and analysis of the day’s events will be the cornerstone of coverage.

Election 2012 Team: Joining Ludden will be members of the NPR News Election 2012 team. Senior Washington editor Ron Elving and National Political correspondent Mara Liasson will provide analysis on newsmaker speeches and in-depth features coverage; National Desk correspondent Debbie Elliott and reporters Jeff Brady and Sonari Glinton will offer conversations with delegates from the convention floors. White House correspondents Ari Shapiro and Scott Horsley will report from the Romney and Obama campaigns, respectively.

NPR Newsmagazine Coverage: Convention news, interviews and analysis will air across all of the newsmagazines and talk programs that air on AM 1370. In addition, All Things Considered hosts Robert Siegel and Audie Cornish will report from both conventions for the program. NPR’s Election 2012 team along with correspondents Greg Allen, Cheryl Corley and Ted Robbins will also provide convention coverage for All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

Comments

I turned to WXXI because I wanted to to see the Democratic Nat'l Convention as it unfolded. I wanted to avoid the we're-not-going-to-let-you-come-to-your-own-conclusions condensed versions that ABC, CBS and NBC put out.

But after the past two days of coverage, I'm finding WXXI is no better than the networks.

I am disappointed that WXXI is drowning out the convention speakers and forcing us to listen to the inane commentary from the NewsHour folks in the SkyBox yakking with each other and their guests (What do you think is the cause of ...? Do you think it's true that ...?). I do not want a convention speaker's words post-digested for me either. I'm not tuning in to hear these SkyBox people. I'm tuning in to hear the convention speakers and see the crowd's reaction.

It is frustrating to hear, again and again, a convention speaker in the background, but not be able to hear the words because the NewsHour folks want some talking head to say what he thinks is the most important law Obama has passed. His answer was no more meaningful than mine would be.

I want to know what is exciting our delegates. I want to feel I am on the floor with them. I want to hear what they are hearing. If they're listening to the people in the SkyBox, then I want to hear the people in the SkyBox.

But the delegates are not listening to the people in the SkyBox.

I'm guessing it's too late to fix this for this convention. Please, please fix this for the 2016 conventions.